Occupational Therapy (27-33 credits of Math/Science/Psychology courses)

An occupational therapist is a healthcare professional who helps people participate in the activities they want and need to do in their daily lives. They work with individuals of all ages who have physical, sensory, or cognitive challenges, aiming to improve their independence and quality of life. Occupational therapists work in schools, hospitals and inpatient clinics, outpatient clinics, nursing homes, and other home and community settings.

Students pursuing a career in occupational therapy can apply to the Master in Occupational Therapy (MOT) or the Doctorate in Occupational Therapy (DOT) program. According to the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), entry into the occupational therapy profession can be achieved at either the Masters or Doctoral degree level, and there are no plans to require the Doctoral degree. Historically speaking, the master’s level program was designed for candidates interested in becoming a practicing occupational therapist, whereas the doctoral level degree was more appropriate for professionals interested in research and academia.

The pre-requisites for occupational therapy programs vary. It is important for students to determine the specific requirements for each occupational therapy program they wish to apply to, in consultation with a pre-health advisor. Most occupational therapy programs require the following courses:

• BIO 103 General Biology I
• BIO 105/106 Anatomy and Physiology I & II
• PSY 100 Introduction to Psychology
• PSY 202 Abnormal Psychology or Psychopathology
• Lifespan Development Psychology (3-9 credits)
• SOC 100 Introduction to Sociology
• MAT 120 Elementary Statistics

Other recommended and/or required courses:

• PHY 120 General Physics 1
• CHE 110 General Chemistry 1
• PSY 205 Social Psychology

Other Requirements:

Students who intend to apply to occupational therapy programs should take the GRE (graduate record examination) prior to applying. The GRE measures three areas in verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning and analytical writing.

Applicants must have between 10-200 hours of clinical experience in a variety of physical and/or occupational therapy settings.  This can be in a volunteer or paid capacity.

Grades:
Occupational therapy programs typically require a minimum GPA of 3.0 to be considered, with a grade of B- or better in all prerequisite coursework. The average GPA of students admitted to Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) programs is 3.5 or higher.

For more information see the Pre-Occupational Therapy document

For More Information About Occupational Therapy, Visit:

American Occupational Therapy Association

Students who are interested in researching the admissions requirements for various occupational therapy graduate programs should visit the website for the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education.